Building structure



am 32 i943@ J. c. MORRELL,

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed may 26, 1940 5 lsheets-sheet 1 i7 ff J. c. MORRELL BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed May- 28, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WMM I Ine/nier? Jail 12 1943. J. c. MoRRh- LL l 2,307,787 BUILpING STRUCTURE Fileduay 2s, 1940 v 5 sneetsfsheet s Jan. 12, 1943.l

J. C. MORRELL BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed May 28, 1940 5 sheets-shed 4 Jan. 12, '1943.

J. c. MORRELL I 2,307,787

BUILDING STRUCTURE" File-d May -28, 1940 i 5 sheets-sheet 5.

Patented Jan. 12', 1.943`

' BUILDING STRUCTURE 'Jacque C. Morrell, Oak Park, lll. AApplication May 28, 1940, Serial No. 337,668

This invention relates to an improved method and means of installing and retaining building wall slabs or panels, preferably composed in part of material possessing good insulating qualities, in the walls of such a structure. These slabs are placed upon and attached to spaced stud members in the walls of the building structure and are affixed to the adjacent studs and thus retained in place in the wall by various alternative butl non-equivalent means which do not impair the good insulating characteristics of the slabs, or of the Wall as a Whole. Preferably the slabs are so placed in relation to the studs as to provide a layer or thickness of insulation between the outer faces or iianges of thestuds and outer faces of the wall.

The invention further relates to a composition wall panel composed of a sheathing'member which lends stiffness and strength to the wall, but does not function primarily as a comproper, an insulating wall-board member amxed to the sheathing member and an exterior (or interior) or nish layer for protection and decoration. These components of the wall panel are made up into an integral slab or composite wall curtain and are attached to the building supporting members or studs by attaching means which function complementary to each other, i. e., one attaching member is aiixed to the wall panel and the other to the stud.

As one of the special features of my invention the under layer of the panel, e. g., the sheathing, extends beyond the insulating and/or protective or surface layer on one side of the panel. This allows direct attachment to the stud by transverse means while the upper layers extend beyond the sheathing on the other side. This permits 'an overlap of adjacent panels. In some non-equivalent cases Where a relatively hard insulating board is employed with a sheet metal exterior, the latter may be bent at right angles I over one edge of the insulating board and out again to permit direct attachment thereof by transverse means and overlapping of the siicceeding panel. A ship lap modiiication may also be employed to permit overlapping of' the adjacent panels. Y

I may also apply my invention to panel units comprising a frame, the vertical members ofwhich abut with those of adjacent panel units to form the studs or supporting members of the `wall and to which the wall panels are attached,

as well as the conventional building frame.

pression or supporting member for the structure Fig. 5 shows the same kind of view as Fig. 4

with both walls in locked position.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the side of a house,

showing the wall construction illustrating my inv vention in place.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5 with a. modied construction of locking or attaching means.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. n g Fig. 10 is a section taken on of Fig. 8. Y

Fig. 11 is a plan section of a wall assembly the vim@ ln-lu showing a modied construction of locking or attaching means.

Fig. 12 is a section taken on the line l2|2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. .13 is a perspective view of an upright or stud showing another means for fastening walls.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a wall construction, partly broken away, similar to Fig. 1, employing abutting vertical uprightsgof adjacent panel units as building studs.

Fig. 15 isA a plan section view taken on the line I5-I5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a perspectiveviewof the frame .of a panel unit of the type employed in Figs. 14 and 1'5 with vertical frame members and transverse members.

Fig. 17 is a plan View in section showing the method of fasteningabutting vertical members of adjoining panel units taken in line Il--I'l of Fig. 14.

Fig. 18 is a sectional View, showing the modi- The details of my improved method of buildstuds 2 representing the vertical supporting memother vertical end or edge of the panel.

bers of the wall and the frame of the building and in the present case preferably being of wood or composition material of suitable strength which may be penetrated by nails, screws or other fastening'means. The wall panels I and I on either side of thel studs are made up of a sheathing member 3, which may be made of wood or composition having suiicient strength to withstand pressure but not necessarily to function as a supporting or compression member' of the wall structure. Attached directly to the sheathing 3 is an insulating board or slab 4 which is made up preferably of fibrous material into boards or slabs having heat insulating properties. This wallboard or slab may be attached directly to the sheathing by nails, screws or other means.

On the exterior of the wall a suitable finishing layer 5, preferably of a plastic such as synthetic resin, plywood, wood veneer, metal and the like or combinations thereof in ply construction, laminated or otherwise, or which maybe made of other material such as stone or brick veneer, stucco and/or composition material generally which will be protective and decorative and withstand weathering. Member 5 may be attached directly to the insulating wall slab by suitable means, e. g., employing a suitableA waterproof and weather-proof adhesive such as that prepared from synthetic resins. Similarly, 5' on the interior wall may be made in a variety of ways, for example, a layer of wood veneer, plywood, metal, synthetic resins or plastics generally, (which may be of the laminated type or simply made up with filling material or used as such), a plaster finish, either direct or superimposed on expanded metal or other holding means attached to the insulating wallboard.

One of the principal features of the present invention is the method of attaching the composite wall panel made up as shown of a sheathing or semi-structural board which functions as a support for the insulating wallboard and which in turn has attached thereto an exterior finish for the outside wall and for the inside wall. The method of fastening the composite panel to the vertical studs or supporting members is accom- `plishecl by having ya, loop-like or hook-like member or other suitable attaching means 6 directly attached in turn to the studs or vertical supporting members 2 and complementary attaching means 6 embedded in the edge of the sheathing 3, comprising likewise hooks, loops or rods or other suitable deviceswhich engage attaching members 6, thus supporting one end of the composite panel I. The other endof the composite panel I is supported by means 1, which pass transversely through the sheathing 3 and which may comprise nails, screws, or similar means. Transverse fastening elements 1, for example, nails, secure the sheathing and hence the insulationand exterior and interior nishes carriedv thereby to the studs 2. This is accomplished by exposing the sheathing along one vertical end or edge of the panel I and extending the insulating wallboard 4 and exterior or interior layers 5 and 5', respectively, correspondingly beyond the In mounting the panel onto'the studs the attaching i elements 6 embedded along one vertical edge of the sheathing are engaged with attaching elements 6 in turn attached to the studs, and the opposite vertical end of the panel is attached to the next stud by passing nails or screws transversely through the exposedv portion of the Cil sheathing into the s tud along and adjacent to the' vertical edge of the sheathing. The next succeeding panel is then mounted as described by overlapping the insulating wallboard or slab with its exterior or interior finish over the exposed end of the sheathing of the wall -panel immediately preceding and fastening as described above, etc. By this method each opposite vertical edge of the panel I overlaps a portion of the adjacent panel on one side and is in turn over-` lapped by a portion of the adjacent panel on the other side, thus covering the fastening means. The corners and other incidental exposed portions may be covered by special strips not shown.

The studs 2 may be mounted in a conventional manner on a Stringer 8 supported on a concrete or other foundation 9 and in turn will support a horizontal beam o r joist I0 in the conventional manner to support a roof or a succeeding story of the building.

Referring t0 Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, there is shown in greater detail a method of attaching the composite wall panel I to the stud 2 wherein 3 is the sheathing, 4 the insulating board and 5 and 5' the exterior and interior finishes respectively. 'I represents nails or screwsl or similar transverse fastening means passing through the exposed end of the sheathing adjacent a vertical edge of panel I and penetrating the stud 2 and attaching the wall panel thereto. 6 is a loop element attached to the stud 2 by means of which the adjacent and succeeding panel shown in the lower right-hand corner of Figs. 4 and 5 is supported along one vertical edge upon the stud 2 by passing the rod or complementary attaching means 6 of the adjacent panel embedded ln the edge of sheathing 3 'in the adjacent and succeeding panel through the loop element 6.

Fig. 4 shows a broken section of the panel 2, loop attaching element 6, complementary rod or attaching element 5 embedded in sheathing 3 with insulating board or slab 4 and exterior nish 5. Interior nish 5' may correspond to 5 in Fig. 4.

It may be seen particularly from Figs. 4 and 5 that in this form of attachment rod 6 embedded along the vertical edge of the sheath 3 is inserted bymoving the panel I parallel to the vertical axis of the stud so as to engage the embedded rods 6' in the loop 6, which is the complementary attaching means. The opposite vertical end of the panel is then engaged by transverse members 1, such as nails or screws, in the manner shown and the overlapping wall panels in final position are shown in Fig. 5,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section showing the attaching means 6 and 6 and their respective relationship to the stud and the wall panel. It is obvious that the wall panels comprising the exterior and interior walls may be placed and xed in position in similar manner as described.

Referring to Fig. 7, which represents a sectional portion of a-building illustrated in a more or less diagrammaticmanner to show the application of my invention, the building may have the usual foundation Il upon which a stringer I2 is mounted and a supporting base I3 likewise mounted. Suitably spaced joists I4 may be carried at their ends upon the opposite stringers I2 and may be supported intermediate their length by means of suitable piers or columns not shown. A sub-:door I5 maybe positioned upon the joists or beams I4 and the usual finished floor I6 may be secured 'to the sub-floor I5. The walls of the' building may constitute units I and I', the former on the exterior and the latter on the interior. The interior surface of the wall I'I may be plastered or may carry wall-boarding. Plywood, wood veneer, plastic or synthetic resin or other decorative wall finish. 'I'he outer surface of the wall I8 may be covered as part of the unit by clapboard, brick or stone veneer, stucco, but is preferably covered by plastic or synthetic resin layers, plywood, wood veneer, metal and various combinations thereof in layers or other suitable surfacing materials for outer walls which will withstand weathering. The exterior layers are attached to the insulating board by suitable weatherproof or waterproof adhesives or by other suitable means. In Fig. 7 the upper portion of the lower units will extend to an I-beam I9 carried by studs 2, a ceiling sheathing may be carried at the lower portion of the joists 2l and the ceiling proper 22' may comprise suitable surfacing material to conform if desired with that of the interior of the walls. Suitable floors may be carried upon the upper portion of the joists 2| indicated as sub-floor I5' and the oor proper I6'. 'I'he upper walls are supported by the I-beam I9 and in general have the same elements as are indicated by the walls of the lower story, the interior and exterior surfaces being finished in the same manner as the compartments below. A Suitable supporting beam and nish 23 together with the studs 2 may carry the attic joists 24 and roof 25. Sub-ceiling and ceiling proper 26' and 22 are carried by the joists 26 with appropriate supporting means. Y V

It can be readily seen that the units comprising my invention are susceptible of being used with a conventional building construction, that is, floor, ceiling, roof construction, interior and exl terior finishes, etc.; also it may be seen that the building. This latter modification of my invention is shown in Figs. 14, 15, 16, and 18 and will be described in connection therewith.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9 and 10, another modication of means for attaching the improved wall panels to the supporting studs is shown. In this modiication two hook elements are employed 6B and 6', embedded or attached respectively to stud 2 and board or sheath member 3B. Ia and I' represent respectively exterior andinterior composite wall panels comprising sheathing board 3B, insulating wallboard 4 and exterior and interior finishes 5 and 5'. Element 1 shows the usual transverse fastening means such as screws or nails passing thru the opposite vertical end of the panel adjacent the edge thereof to that Panels 4 on which the hook members are attached. Similarly, Figs. 11 and 12 show another means of at tachment comprising in eiect complementary hook and eye attaching elements in which the eye 'or loop member I5b is attached, forexample by embedding the same in spaced relationship in a 'vertical edge of the sheathing member 3b.

respectively. sheathing or board member 3b andl 75 insulating board! and exterior and interior finishes 5 and 5' perform the usual functions as` described. In Figs. 11 and 12 the loop or eye element is illustrated positioned in recesses in of attaching elements may assume many forms and be 'interchanged in respect of their position on the stud or sheathing and that the attaching means may be placed in recesses along the Vertical edge of the sheathing which comprises a partl of the panel unit or otherwise attached and that the various types of attaching means comprising clips, hooks, loops or eyes and similar attaching means such as for example are shown in my co-pending application 239,281 and copending application No. 337,667 and issued Patents 2,158,081 and 2,158,082, may be employed.

My invention is also applicable to the-use of prefabricated frame units shown in Figs. 14 and 15, which are respectively side elevational and plan views. Fig. 15 is a section taken along the line I5-I5 `of Fig. 14 with vertical studs 2' connected by transverse members 26 which may comprise rods or bars or may comprise similar material of which the vertical members are made and which may be made of wood, steel or other .suitable construction material, but which will be described in the present connection employing vertical wood frame members. These vertical members when placed in position such that the vertical members of adjoining panels abut will function as the supporting or compression stud members of the building wall. Vertical members 2' comprising the vertical supporting studs of the wall as well as the vertical frame members of adjoining panel units are connected by a rod or transverse member 26which acts as a supporting means. for the frame andpermits it to be made up as a panel unit when being prefabricated in a factory, and also permits it to be handled and transported as a unit. The completed panel unit comprises vertical members,

transverse members and wall panels with attaching means.

When the frames are placed in position prior to attaching the panels I and I' thereto they may be interconnected by metal plates 21 preferably countersunl: so that they are flush with the surfaces of the studs. These plates, which may be of steel, are suitably disposed and spaced along the vertical edges of the studs and fastened thereto by nails or screws. Other connecting orfastening means may likewise be employed to fasten the adjoining and abutting studs or vertical members of the frames which make up the supporting members of the building wall and superstructure of the building. Beam or joists I 0 may be mounted uponv a stringer III', which may also be fastened externally to each of the individual vertical members by nails 28 or otherwise to assist in strengthening and supporting the assembly. The latter means of fastening the studs together is especially *useful when the panels are attached to the vertical frame members prior to assembly at the site of the building. The vertical members comprising the studsv foundation 9. They may be attached to the stringer or foundation in any conventional manner by nails, screws, bolts and the like. Elements 29 are fastening means for the abutting vertical frame members of the panel units to form the studs of the building wall and may comprise bolts passing horizontally or transversely therethrough. When the complete panel units are assembled at the factory provision is made for the bolts near the top of the vertical members where accessible. If the wall panels or curtain elements are put in position at the site of the building the bolts may be spaced along the vertical length of the studs. When the panel frame units are placed in position prior to attaching the wall panels thereto the latter may be attached to the vertical members 2' comprising the studs in the same manner and by the same attaching means as described in connection with Figs. l and 2 or in connection with the other means of attachment shown herein or as shown in my co-pending application hereinbefore referred to, No. 239,281.`

The individual panel `frames and the finished units described herein, the vertical members of which in abutting relationship comprise the supporting studs for the building wall or building are related in -general principle to the panels described in my co-pending application 118,965. By

further reference to Figs. 14 and 15, 3 represents member or in some cases in lieu of the sheathing and insulating wall board such as, for example, cast or molded materials containing ingredients of some insulating quality or a high percentage L materials.

spectively attached to each other and bearing the same relation toeach other as hereinbefore described. One end of the panel is attached to vertical frame member 2' comprising thevstud by means of attaching means 'I spaced adjacent a vertical edge of the sheathing on which in this case may be n ails or screws, and the attaching means on the opposite side edge of the sheathing 3, namely, attaching element, comprising in this instance a loop attached to studs 2 and complementary attaching element E' embedded in the edge of sheathing 3, which support the wall panels on the panel units.'

Fig. 16 illustrates the panel frame 30 made up of vertical supporting frame members 2 and transverse members 26, which in this case are rods or bars of steel or wood.

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary detail showing studs 2 fastened by means of plates 21. 26 represents the transverse members.

Fig. 18 shows the special modifications of my invention wherein I connect the two panel units or the abutting vertical members thereof comprising the studs with bolts 29 (described in connection with Figs. 14 and 15). rI'hese may in some instances comprise the principal fastening means, supplemented if desired by a stringer or joist as beam on top, or by the other fastening means as described herein.

Although my invention has been described. in connection with exterior walls, it is of course to be understood that the various features herein may be employed in connection with interior walls also.

The insulating material employed in Thus the invention is not necessarily limited to the use of materials of high heat insulating quality for the wall slabs, particularly in certain types of buildings where a high degree of insulating efficiency is not essential. Molded or precast slabs of the materials referred to as well as compositions of natural or synthetic resins, composite materials and the like may be attached to the framing members of any type of structure in the manner and by the means herein provided. When slabs of such materials are used the attaching means are embedded in the rigid slab during fabrication on one end and the other end fastened by nails or screws to the studs on a finish layer of thev type described either integral with or adhering to the slab.

The wall panel described in connection with the description of the figures is however preferred. Various materials besides wood may be employed instead of the sheathing where it possesses the necessary properties, e. g., the various presswoods (one well known type Abeing Masonite). These may also be employed for the interior and exterior, finished with and without veneers. The insulating board is attached to the sheathing in any suitable manner, e. g., by nails or screws.

Veneers of brick, stone (both natural and artificial), ceramic materials and various compositions may also be attached to the insulating in any suitable manner. Alternative, but not necessarily equivalent means of combining these various layers may be employed. The exterior (or interior) layer may be made up also of composite synthetic resin and fabric layers, i. e., of laminated type of synthetic resins and wood or metal in various combinations of the materials and of the layers thereof. The metals, synthetic resins, plywood, wood veneers may be attached to the insulating materials and to each other with suiting asphalts, may also be placed between the sheathing and insulating board, and where the wall panels or their component parts overlap or join also to hold the attaching parts more firmly in position. A

The wall panels may be cut or sawed to proper sizes and shapes if necessary on the building site when desirable. Provision is also to be made for doors, windows and other openings in the walls and type of interior and exterior wall materials y may be utilized in conjunction with the wall slabs.

When plaster is employed as. an interior finish it is preferably applied directly to the interior surface of the slabs, although expandedmetal lath, wire mesh or the like, of course, may be utilize as a base when desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various combinations of the features of the invention other than the combinations illustrated and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art and are .therefore entirely within the scope of the invention as dened by the appended claims. The same applies to various modifications and minor departures from the specic forms of wall slabs as well as the method and means of attaching the wall slabs herein illustrated and described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A building wall comprising a plurality of spaced frame members. vpanels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocally rabbeted to partially overlap each other, means extending through the thickness of the overlapping portion of one panel to Vsecure the panelto one of said frame members, securing elements carried by said frame member. and cooperating elements carried by said adjacent panel for detachably engaging with the elements carried by said frame member.

2. A building wall comprisinga plurality of Y spaced frame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends .of adjacent panels being reciprocally rabbeted to partially overlap each other,

means extending through the thickness of the overlapping portion of one panel to secure the panel to one of said frame members, securing elements carried by'said frame member adiacent thev edge of said last mentioned panel, and Y,

cooperating elements carried by said adjacent panel for engaging with the elements carried by said frame member by movement of the panel with respect to the frame member.

3. A building wall comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocally rabbeted to partially overlap each other, means extending through the thickness of the overlapping portion of one panel to secure the panel to one of said frame members, securing elements carried by said frame member, and cooperating elements carried by said adiacent panel and extending into the notch insaid panel forV detachably engaging with the elements carried by said frame member.

4. A building4 wall -comprising a plurality of spaced trame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciproex Ly rabbeted to partially overlap each othenmeans comprising nails extending through the thickness of the overlapping portion of one panel to secure the panel to one of said frame 5. A building wall comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocalyly rabbeted to partially overlap each other, means comprising screws extending through the thick-4 ness of the overlapping portion of one panel to secure the panel to Aone of said frame members, securing elements carried by said frame member, and cooperating elements carried by said adjacent panel for engaging with the elements carried by said frame member by movement of the panel substantially parallel to the plane of the wall.

6. A building wall comprising a plurality oi spaced frame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship,

. abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocally rabbeted to partially overlap each other, means extending through the thickness of the overlap- ,lapping portion of one panel to secure the panel jto one of said frame members, securing elements comprising loops carried by said frame member, and cooperating elements carried by said adjacent panel for engagingwith the elements carried by said frame member by movement of the panel with lrespect tothe frame member. Y

7. A building wall comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocally rabbeted to partially overlap each other. means extending through the thickness of the overlapping portion of one panel to secure the panel to lone oi said frame members, securing elements comprising hooks carried by said frame member, and cooperating elements carried by said adjacent panel for engaging with the elements carried by said frame member by movement of the members, securing elements carried by said trame member, and cooperating elements carried by said adjacent panel -ior engaging with the elements carried by said frame' member 'by movement of the panel substantially parallel to the plane oi the 'wail panel-With respect to the frame member.

'8. A, building wall comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, panels mounted upon said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocally shaped to partially overlap each other, means extending through the thickness of the overlapping portion of one panelto secure the panel to one of said `frame members, securingelements carried by said frame member, andv cooperating elements carried by said adjacent vpanel for engaging with the elements carried by said frame member by movement of the panel with respect to the frame member.

9. A building wall comprising a pluralityy of spaced frame members, panels mounted upon' said frame members in end-abutting relationship, abutting ends of adjacent panels being reciprocally shaped to partially overlap each other, means extending through the thicknessof the yoverlapping portion of one panel to secure the panel to oneo1' said frame members, securing elements JACQUE anonima.. 

